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Everything You Need To Know About At-Home Eyelash Tinting

If there’s one hang up in our morning makeup routine—one task that takes twice as long as all the others, it’s applying mascara. Foundation/tinted moisturizer/BB cream—that can be smoothed on and blended in in well under a minute. Same goes for concealer. Blush and lip colour—10 seconds flat. But mascara is really what’s holding us back from mastering the under 5-minute face. The problem is, like many women out there, we wouldn’t dream of braving the day mascara-less. Enter: eyelash tinting. While for most it’s not a mascara replacement, it is an effective solution for taking barely-there lashes and turning them into lush, dark, glossy eyelashes. However, tacking on a monthly professional lash tint can be an undue addition to an already too tight beauty budget. Enter: at-home eyelash tinting. All the benefits of salon job, and from the comfort of your own powder room.

So, if the thought of going mascara-less terrifies you or you just won’t settle for anything less than the darkest lashes possible, keep reading for a full breakdown of the process!

In a small container, combine the henna powder and a small amount of water, and mix until you’ve reached a paste consistency. You don’t want the mixture too watery because it will drip.

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Step 2: Prep

Make sure your eyelashes are clean and dry with no mascara or makeup remover residue. Apply a layer of petroleum jelly to the skin around the eyes to protect it from stray dye. For extra insurance against stains, you can place strips of paper towel underneath your eyes (they’ll stick to your skin thanks to the petroleum jelly).

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Step 3: Apply

Dip your clean mascara wand into the color and roll it around to ensure the bristles are evenly coated. Then, start applying the tint to your lashes as if you were putting on mascara. Start with the lower lashes to avoid smearing the tint on the upper lashes. And remember to dot the very tips, which are always the lightest.

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Step 4: Wait

Let your lashes "process" for 10 minutes.

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Step 5: Remove

Head to the sink and use wet cotton pads to gently wipe off your lashes. Note: it may get a tad messy. You’ll need a few passes with the cotton pads, and a quick rinse will help get the last bits.

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The Slightly Less DIY Option

If you prefer your eyelash tinting adventures somewhat less adventurous (aka with supplies that come out of a box), try Godefroy’s 28 Day Mascara Permanent Eyelash Tint Kit ($25) or 1000 Hour’s Eyelash & Brow Dye Kit ($20). Both of which, contain multiple applications (25 and 12, respectively). And while both promise four weeks of dark lashes, don’t expect miracles. If you’re washing your face twice a day (and you should be!), the color will probably fade a little quicker than the box claims.

Brow Bonus: whether you create your own tint or buy it from the drugstore, the color can be used to darken your eyebrows too.

Would you try tinting your lashes at home? Let us know in the comments!